Over the past 6 months, I’ve had the pleasure of checking out the newest offerings from Playtex bras– the Side Smoothing Underwire bra & Seamless Shaping Underwire bra along with the Perfectly Smooth Underwire bra. Each bra has been better than the one before, and I think they’ve left the best for last: the Cotton Shaping Underwire bra.

For the first time in my life, I’ve found a bra to wear that’s easy.  I put it on.  It’s super light, and I don’t feel it.  I don’t catch myself adjusting my bra throughout the day. I don’t feel the straps riding down or the back riding up.  I don’t feel the gals sliding around in the cups or out of the cups.  It’s an easy every day bra.  And I love it for that.

While this bra doesn’t have the complete flexibility of a convertible bra, it has the option of being worn regular or racerback style–making it perfect for all of those holiday dress options out there (and transitioning well in to summer & tank top season).  This bra does solve a HUGE pet peeve of mine, which is my bra straps peeking out under pretty & festive dresses!  When converted to the racerback style (creating an X with the straps over your back) it pulls them towards the center of your body— and preventing slippage.

ASOS Curve: Lace & Mesh Dress / Spot Lace Skater Dress / Chiffon Midi Dress

Above are some STUNNNINNGGGG party frocks I’ve got a bad case of the covets for (only a doc can cure me! Or my credit card).  Check out all of that chiffon and lace!  All sleeveless!  Which normally means this gal would be hemming and hawing, pulling at her bra to keep the straps from playin’ peek-a-boo at the office party. BUT NO MORE!

The sad truth is, I probably need to wash my bra as I’ve worn it every day since I’ve gotten it. (Gross, girl.)

In accordance with FTC policy, I was compensated for my participation in the Playtex Brand Ambassador program, but all views & opinions are 100% signed with that Ashe seal of love!

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Cotton Shaping Underwire Bra = Love, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

When the folks at PB&J Shop offered me a chance to review an item, I thought I can’t say no! I do love PB&J after all (though my favorite is pb & honey).

I was smitten with these Poetic Licence Jeweled Expression shoes.  They reminded me an awful lot of one of my favorite pairs of shoes during college– a simple pair of blue flats (with a similar heel) by Steve Madden (before his shoes became ridiculously priced & horrible quality).

With those college shoes came a certain attitude.  A fresh rebellion, an arrogant confidence, a quick wit and sharper mind.  While I wasn’t perfect in college, there were a lot of things I admired about myself back then– elements of myself I’m always trying to regain in my life.  Those shoes, and these shoes, remind me of that.  A girl who put on fancy shoes with jeans and a striped shirt and felt ready for class & the world.

As I put on these shoes, the Beau said to me, “Those look good on you.  You don’t wear bright colors like that anymore, but they look good.” I love him for noticing, and I love bringing that stylistic side back in to my life.

These heels are more embellished than that original pair, but I love that about them.  I love the rhinestone button, the on-trend neon trim, and contrasting pink heel (that’s perfect for a day at work).  A perfect balance of bold details.  Poetic Licence is a brand I love– like their sister company, Irregular Choice, they’re daring and playful; unlike Irregular Choice, I don’t find them pushing too far outside the realm of wearable.

PB&J also has my beloved Poetic Licence Magical Sunset wedges and, HELLO!, how do I love these Lady Victoria boots?  Tapestry and velvet ribbons? Bestill my Antiquarian heart.

Thank you Martin for a lovely chance to reclaim a piece of my past, and thank you Erica for the sweet handwritten note!

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Waxing Poetic, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

There are two types of shopping I’m pretty loathe to do: jeans shopping and bra shopping.  The experience of both is pretty similar– stacks of jeans or bras in various sizes, cuts, and colors go in to the dressing room.  A quick try on– sometimes they don’t make it on all the way before they end up piled up in a “thanks, but no thanks” pile.  On a lucky day, I may take home one or two that fit “okay enough,” but overall the shopping experience leaves me disheartened, disappointed, and dejected.

So when Playtex bras contacted me about becoming a brand ambassador, I felt a bit mixed: I hate bra shopping and have a difficult time finding ones I like.  But… it’s great when I can share information about products that can help me and OTHER girls who have issues finding bras they like.  And so it is– for the next few months I’ll be a brand ambassador for Playtex, sharing information about their products and letting you know what I personally think of them– good and bad!

When I’m shopping for a bra, here are a few things I look for:

• Appearance & Shape:  I’m a young, foxy gal who wants to feel like it!  As such, I don’t want a bra that looks like a maternity bra. Even though my ribcage is larger, my breasts are a solid B cup. I want equal options for lace, beautiful colors, and great designs as a woman who wears a 36C.  I want plunge bras, balconettes, and strapless options that will work on my body.  Bras with huge straps and cups that go up to my shoulders don’t provide me with additional support!  I love a bra with padding and shape. I love making my bust appear more shapely and larger in comparison to my apple belly!
• Wardrobe Compatibility. I love to wear shirts and dresses that show off my collarbone and chest, and many styles of bra (especially in my size range) won’t work with my wardrobe.
• Functionality: I love underwire in my bras, unless I’m kicking back at home (underwires just add a bit more poise & perk).  Straps that are comfortable and don’t slip and slide are a must too– too often I feel like I have to tighten the hell out of my straps in order to keep them from sliding all over the place!

(If you want to read more about my bra quests or see bras that I’ve loved, see my picks for cute & sexy plus-sized bras and plus-sized bras for busty gals!)

One of the things I do like about Playtex bras is that they are accessible and realistic for most women–if you have access to a department store, you have access to their lines.  Playtex bras are underwear built on basics–which every woman needs!

Playtex sent along two of their bras, the Playtex Secrets Side Smoothing Wirefree Bra and the Playtex Secrets Seamless Shaping Underwire Bra, which boasts:

• Seamless cups for a smooth look under clothes
• Thin, stretch-foam cups for shaping and support
• Stop the Slip® straps that stay on your shoulders (this is a huge problem I have at times–I always need to make sure that my straps are tightened correctly!).

Pros & Cons: Side Smoothing Wirefree Bra (size 46B)

• PRO: The straps fit comfortably and I didn’t notice any sliding, which can be a big problem with me.
• PRO: It’s wirefree.  It’s really comfortable for kicking back and around the house.  Generally, I prefer a wired cup because I feel that it gives my breasts more definition (and perk), but I know LOADS of ladies who do NOT like underwire.
• PRO: Light padding.  I love to add an extra half-cup or cup to my bust (making what I find a more balanced shape for myself).  This has light padding, making it attractive for daily wear.  If you’re a gal who doesn’t like padding, I’d say try it out.  It’s not too much.  (But if you REALLY hate padding, opt for the bra below!)
• PRO: Lightweight and comfortable band.  It’s super soft and stretchy, making it easy to put on and without any too tight feelings.
• CON: This bra isn’t a partner of the plunge blouse (it was visible under my Ureshii Tab shirts which is my bra tester being one of my lowest cut day shirts).  It’s great for wear under t-shirts and higher necklines, and is even safe under a-line tanks.

Pros & Cons: Seamless Shaping Underwire Bra (size 44C)

• PRO: Pretty lace detailing on the bra.  It adds a nice little something extra, without creating noticeable lumps or lines under my shirts.
• PRO: Like the Side Smoothing Underwire bra, the straps were comfortable and didn’t slide around.
• CON: I like more padding in my bra.   That being said– if you’re a girl who doesn’t like padding and wants a soft slim cup, this bra would be a PRO for you.
• CON: Again, this bra wasn’t a fan of the plunge blouse (also visible under my Ureshii Tab shirts).  The cups of it come up higher than the Side Smoothing Wirefree bra, meaning that it kept peeking out of the top of my Old Navy tank tops.  It’d be fine under crew necks and boat necks, but I’d skip it for plunges, scoop necks, and tank tops.

If I could combine the best features of these bras (and add in a zesty color or pattern), it’d probably be very close to my dream bra.  For comfortable go-to bras, they’re likely to have a permanent place in my wardrobe.

In accordance with FTC policy, I was compensated for my participation in the Playtex Brand Ambassador program.

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Straps Solutions: Playtex Bras, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

When Trashy Diva released their Olivine print, I loved it– but I was worried it wouldn’t fit in to my wardrobe color palette due to it’s bright, Spring green base. But looking at it more and more (plus seeing it in person), I realized this was the perfect dress to work within my color palette, while expanding a bit. The vibrant teals, purples, and pinks, paired against dark burgundies and pale greys means I can mix and match it throughout the year.  And let’s not get started on all the shoes I can wear with it!

When Trashy Diva released the 1940s dress, one of my favorite silhouettes, in the Olivine, I jumped at the chance to try it on.  I was secretly hoping I could persuade Mallory to pick it up for me (with her employee discount).  When owner Candice offered it as a gift, I’m pretty sure I made some inappropriate squeaks and squeals in the shop.

Some details about Trashy Diva dresses: I’ve found, no matter what my size, that they tend to run a bit small in the ribcage. So I’ve always had to go up a size to accommodate my ribcage/high waist (which is where the “waist” on this dress falls). The exception to this is definitely the Trixie dress (which has an elastic smocked back), and perhaps some of the new styles I haven’t had the opportunity to try on– but I find it’s true for their 1940s dress, the Ashley dress, the Day dress, and ones with a similar silhouette.

Because of this, I find that the sizing on their new plus dresses (sizes 20-24) runs small. Typically I’m a solid 18/20 in dresses, but found myself in a 24 in this dress to get it zipped over my ribs. If you’re a plus-sized gal, but run more narrow in the waist & ribs, you should be okay in this.  I find that their size chart runs true to size (meaning this is actually a tad small in the waist).

I made one little alteration to the dress, which was nipping the seams at the bust… just so cleavage could peak out a bit more!  Though it’s likely I’ll adjust the sleeves on the dress, too, either tightening them or removing them, as they run kind of wide (as you can see below… and my bra!).

Even though I actually felt really self-conscious after seeing these pictures, I love Trashy Diva dresses because I always feel so great in their clothes.  The bias cut skirt is so, so flattering on a lady’s stomach, and they always manage to skim the body in a super sexy way.  They recently added a Trixie Dress in the Pearl Harbor print going up to XXL, which naturally means I’m coveting it.  AND my birthday happens to be coming up, too…

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed Where I Stop & Turn & I Go For A Ride, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.

This past weekend I opened Julius Caesar at work, and figured there was no more perfect time to debut this dress (courtesy of City Chic).  I loved that it was a bit of a chance to wear a costume, and pick out a dress whose military elements mirrored the military component of the play.

It’s actually because of this dress that I’ve picked up so many other pieces from City Chic.  The quality is really nice– the fabric’s such a heavy weight that it camouflages the bumpy bits… while I’m not convinced a tulip skirt is the most flattering fit for me, the square neckline makes the ladies look awesome. The Beau’s a huge fan ;)

This dress sold out so quickly on the website… before it was even in my hands it was gone from the site!  I’m not surprised… the cost wasn’t super high and the cut is so flattering and comfortable.

As you can see, I broke down and bought the B. Makowsky flats I’ve been coveting…. while this outfit would have been dressier and better with a great pair of heels, the reality of life overcame me.  I had to be ready to haul boxes of wine, tables, and tons of food for the post-play reception.

It’s a good thing that I didn’t wear heels… late that night, while cleaning up, I skid across loose gravel, while carrying a box of empty wine bottles, and went crashing in to a dumpster.  I’m covered in big cuts & bruises from it.  So let’s enjoy the pre-show ensemble, when my curls are big & boucny, and my bruises are minimal.

Outfit Details:

Military Dress – City Chic
Crest Necklace - Miss X Jewelry
Black Flats – B. Makowsky (via QVC)
Watch – Betsey Johnson (via Amazon)

© dramatis personae. If you enjoyed What I Wore: The Lean & Hungry Look, please subscribe at dramatis personae. Company links may be affiliate links; see a full list of affiliates here. Be assured that all products have received that Ashe seal of love, lust, & approval.